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8 Winter Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Glowing Until the Spring

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8 Winter Skincare Tips to Keep Your Skin Glowing Until the Spring

Winter can be extremely hard on our delicate skin. Here are a few helpful hints that will help you make it to the next season with glowing and radiant skin.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen 

Sunscreen in the winter too? Yes! Sunscreen isn’t just important during the summer; it’s actually necessary to apply sunscreen year round. Harmful sunrays reflect off snow and ice. You need sunscreen on a sunny day, a cloudy day, and even if you are just going to spend the whole day at work (fluorescent lights actually emit UV rays!). Also, remember to reapply when you’re going to be staying outside for long periods of time. This includes commuting to work via public transportation or driving. A great and low-cost one I love is the Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. It is lightweight, non-greasy and sheer enough to wear under your makeup.

Stay Away from Super Hot Baths! 

Super hot baths might be nice in the wintertime, but they are actually horrible for your skin and should be a no-no in your winter skincare
routine. Hot water strips your skin of the natural oils and moisture, and more so as you turn up the heat in the shower or in the tub. Hot water evaporates fast, and if the skin is not immediately moisturized, the cracks in the skin let the skin nerves get exposed to air, resulting in what feels the ‘winter’s itch.’ Instead, go for shorter lukewarm baths or, if you can handle it, cooler baths. You should also apply the right moisturizer after you bathe.

Pro Tip: If you cannot live without a hot bath or shower (which is obviously tempting even thinking about it!) then keep your bathroom door closed if possible, and after you dry, moisturize. Look for products with ceramides as well as hyaluronic acid, to keep the barrier of your skin from losing a lot of water. An excellent and affordable product to use on your skin is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid.

Drink Enough Fluids and Keep it Moving! 

Ever wondered why you look better in the summer and dull in the winter? One of the main reasons is because you probably drink a lot more fluids in the summer to stay hydrated in the heat. This winter, don’t forget to drink enough fluids and get enough exercise. If it is too cold in your city to go to a gym, there are tons of exercises that you can do at home. The important thing is to get your pulse rate up and your blood circulating. This will give your skin that beautiful summer glow all year round. If you have stairs, use them! You may feel a little silly, but running up and down even one flight of stairs can give you a quick workout.

Pro Tip: Have a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to worry about not getting enough water throughout the day. I like the Prime Pack Sports Water Bottle because it has a super leak-proof lid, which is so important when you are packing your lunch bag.

Switch Up your Fall Routine Products 

Your skin has different needs during the winter. During this season, switch from oil-fighting cleansers to hydration boosting products. The main problem you face this winter is your skin drying out and losing its natural and beautiful texture, so you might want to stock up on products that actually hydrate your skin. Also stay away from using water-based moisturizers during the day and switch to thicker or oil moisturizers to seal in moisture. I like The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Squalane because it is an oil that’s amazing for your any skin type and it is thin and not too heavy so if you have oily skin it won’t break you out.
Pro Tip: Use the steam from your shower and slather coconut or avocado oil all over your body to seal in the moisture.

Natural is the Way to Go

Natural products always are a default when all else fails and things like coconut oil and olive oil are some of the best products to have on your skin during this season because they are generally heavier and lock in moisture better than other products.

Love your Hands the Way they Deserve to Be Loved

With all the hand washing we do and sanitizer we use during the winter to get rid of germs and avoid the flu, it is no fun for our poor drying hands. Carry a small hand cream in your purse to use after you wash or sanitize your hands, and don’t forget to wear gloves when you are outdoors to protect your precious hands from drying and cracking. I personally love the Sephora Collection hand masks, they are moisturizing and nourishing for your precious hands.

Exfoliate to Let the Goodness Sink In!

You can make a great exfoliator with the products you already have. Grab some olive oil, sugar or sea salt, and a lemon to make a quick recipe for an exfoliator that will scrub away the dead skin that’s blocking your skin from soaking in the serums and moisturizers you are using.

Turn on the Humidifiers 

Humidifiers aren’t just for babies. During the wintertime, it’s a good idea to fire up the humidifiers inside your home. If you live in a dry city, the air moisture level is typically way below what your skin needs. By using a humidifier, the humidity in the air will keep your skin from drying out. Aim for a cool mist humidifier as the warm mist types can cause mold growth in the home. The one I’ve been using for the past year and absolutely love and recommend is the Vicks FilterFree Cool Mist Humidifier. It is also perfect for when you get a stuffy nose, there’s a slot where you insert Vicks VapoPads and it gives you up to 24 hours of relief.

We hope some of these tips help you get your skin all ready for the dry winter season. What other tips do you have that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know below. Make sure you sign up if you already are not a member and subscribe to our posts!

Morning Rituals You Must Include In Your Routine For a Successful New Year

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Morning Rituals You Must Include In Your Routine For a Successful New Year

Let’s face it – mornings are hard for all of us. Being an effective early riser is very important for a productive day. Your morning should be about putting yourself in a positive mindset and getting important things done. Also, waking up early to just sit on your couch to watch television isn’t worth it either. Your mornings can be the best time of your day if you do it right on your own terms.

To start your day right, you’ve got to get into some really good healthy habits.

Here are 5-morning rituals that may seem hard to get into at first, but will ultimately reap major rewards if you stick to doing them regularly.

Wake up Early So You Can Wake Up Slowly 

One of the best life changes I ever made was waking up earlier so that I can wake up slowly. I started this habit after I had my baby 11 months ago. Having the time to do some stretches, lie around, meditate, take a shower, or make a good breakfast allows me to start my day off right. It also allows for other good morning rituals—keep on reading for those!

Put Your Phone on Do Not Disturb For The Duration of Your Sleep

If you sleep with your phone on your bed or next to it while it charges for the next day, I highly recommend placing it on Do Not Disturb for 2 big reasons. Number one – you limit the number of disturbances that can cause instant stress such as texts, notifications, and emails. Number two – you limit the amount of blue light that actually can directly affect your sleep. Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, which is important for a good night’s rest.

 

Do Not Disturb allows you to set your phone to not turn the screen on for notifications and calls. You set the time you want it to start and end. You can also set it to only allow your Favourites list to call you and if someone really wants to get a hold of you, you can set it so that repeated calls get through. If the person calls more than once, the call will come through. I don’t recommend using Airplane Mode at night for this purpose. Emergencies happen at any time, that’s why it is called an emergency!

Pray Fajr on Time Every Time

As Muslims, one of the pillars of Islam is praying the obligatory five prayers every day. The timing of the prayers is spread across the day depending on the sun. It all starts with Fajr in the morning. The lines below discuss the importance and significance of Fajr prayer under the light of different hadiths of Prophet (PBUH) and various verses of the Holy Quran.

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

‘The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer. If only they knew what (reward) there is in them, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.'” (Sahih)

Let’s face it: it’s hard to get out of bed when you are tired! But remembering that prayer is better than sleep always plays in my head like a mantra and it quickly gets me up for prayer.

Another bonus is those who perform the Fajr prayer become energetic and having a good temperament. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

“The Satan ties three knots on the back of your heads when one of you goes to sleep. He blows (an incantation) on every knot, (saying): ‘You have a long night, so sleep (through it).’ so if the person wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is untied. And if he performs Wudu (ablution), another knot is untied. And if he prays, another knot is untied, and he arises (in the morning) energetic and having a good temperament. Otherwise, he arises with a bad temperament, feeling lazy.” (Al-Bukhari 3269).

By sleeping earlier and setting more than one alarm for Fajr prayer, it helps me wake up on time and puts me in the mindset to prepare to focus during prayer and to take advantage of the benefits that come with praying salah.

Make Your Bed as if You Have Guests Coming Over 

I’m sure we have all heard this before. One of your morning tasks should be to make your bed every morning. The reason behind this is actually quite simple. By making your bed every morning, you will have accomplished one of the first tasks of your day next to praying Fajr. It will give you a small sense of achievement by completing a task and will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will turn into many tasks completed. It will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. If you can do the little things right, you will be able to believe that you can do the big things right. And what’s better than coming home to a bed that’s made and ready for your tired and exhausted self after a long and mentally drained day? A bed that you made.

Nourish Your Body With a Healthy Breakfast Filled with Goodness

I’m pretty sure eating a healthy balanced breakfast every morning is on everyone’s list, but let us dive a little deeper into this topic. Add things on your weekly grocery list that you know you can actually prepare for any kind of morning – whether it’s a quick breakfast on the go or a relaxed easy Sunday morning. I recommend stocking up on frozen fruits to add to a powerful blender like the Ninja blender. You can whip up a quick breakfast smoothie for busy mornings and it makes for a tasty treat without the empty calories. You can add Greek yoghurt and some chia or flax seeds for extra goodness to nourish your body for the day. Also, don’t forget to add water for hydration!

By incorporating these beneficial morning rituals into your daily routine, you will start to notice your days are not that brutal. You start with a fresh mind and a good mood and get into good habit making as a result. There is no point in setting your alarm clock at super early hours if you aren’t doing anything positive. By indulging in a good routine you will begin to see this mindset spill into other aspects of your decision making throughout the day. It can also help you make better judgment calls on how to spend your time wisely.

5 Hijab Myths We Need to Leave Behind in 2018

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5 Hijab Myths We Need to Leave Behind in 2018

1.The Hijab Protects Women Against Sexual Assault

The myth that there’s a correlation between wearing the hijab and a low prevalence of sexual harassment and violence against women actually systematically victimizes them. Those that place blame on women who do not cover themselves and at the same time insinuate that women who are attacked while wearing the headscarf somehow did something to deserve it are essentially taking the blame away from the attacker. By placing the blame on the victim, it prevents future victims from speaking up about sexual assault.

2.You Have to Wear the Hijab Only if You’re Married 

Sometimes I wonder how people rationalize certain things they believe about religions. If this theory were true, I would have been married at 4 years old. I think that’s illegal. So yeah, absolutely not true.

3.You Have to Wear It All Day Every Day, Everywhere, At Any Given Hour

I laugh at this assumption all the time, especially those that innocently ask if we shower with our hijabs on. I personally don’t think that’s hygienic but to each their own!

4.Women Who Wear Hijabs Can’t Be Stylish

It is time this misconception vanishes. I mean, did you see the #HijabFashion hashtag on Instagram? The Muslim fashion industry is currently valued at $96 billion internationally, and mainstream fashion designers have even begun catering their style lines to the newly coinedhijab couture. Hijab couture has also reached America, as evidenced by the flowing long skirts, palazzo pants and turbans in style this year. The trend has been magnified by a refreshing new wave of Instagram and YouTube hijab fashion bloggers who erupted onto the blogger scene. You can read about some of those in this blog post. Recognizable and fashion-forward thinking, they push the limits on the hijab couture and modest fashion industries.

Nowadays, these women have seen as global influencers, summoned by fashion companies to act as representatives, ambassadors and promoters for different brands.

5.All Hijab-Wearing Women are Quiet, Voiceless and Traditional 

This is likely my favourite stereotype. Hijab-wearing women hear it again and again: “Where are your voices? Why are you not speaking up? Stand up and say something, you seem oppressed.” Women who cover are one of the most visible of Muslim communities; I think that alone speaks volumes. Muslim women who wear the hijab are also some of the most commonly attacked during Islamophobic hate crimes.

But despite these stereotypes, hijab-wearing women have been and will continue to be a vibrant community of women, who defy stereotypes by example, who succeed as neurosurgeons, Olympic competitors, and lawyers. We are also as diverse as the multi-coloured fabrics we so proudly display on our heads.

Of course, some Muslim women wear the headscarf are also quiet and shy — but they are not shy because of the covering.

Hijab-wearing women remain, time and again, the topic of popular discussion, yet consistently are told to sit down and keep quiet when they attempt to enter conversations about them. While that might have worked before, it won’t work much anymore: Muslim women who cover are not willing to remain silent any longer, entering mainstream media, culture, and production industries as individual forces to be reckoned with. Want an example? You just finished reading an article written by a woman who happens to wear the hijab.

 

7 Simple and Easy-To-Do Hijab Hair Care Tips: Hair Care Under the Hijab

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7 Simple and Easy-To-Do Hijab Hair Care Tips: Hair Care Under the Hijab

As a Muslim female, it can be very difficult to take care of your hair when you wear a hijab every day. We get so used to just throwing it in an uncombed bun and calling it a day by quickly putting on a hijab. Here are a few quick tips that can very beneficial for our Muslim sisters who wear the hijab:

1.Treat Your Hair At Least Once a Week

Life can get so busy at times that you forget to tend to your hair. Try to pick one day out of the week to treat your hair. I choose to do this on the days where I am already having a self-care afternoon or evening, usually on Sundays. I’ve noticed that it is best to use natural homemade hair masks for the best results. I also stacked up on leave-in conditioners and it does wonders for your hair. One combination I use during the winter months when my hair is super dry and needs a moisture boost is avocado, honey and olive oil. Also, one of my favourite leave-in conditioners is the Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Leave-In Conditioner.

2.Put Oil In Your Hair!

The best thing you can do is put oil in your hair. To prevent your hair from getting too dry and brittle you MUST put oil in it. Some of us have naturally dry hair so moisturizing it occasionally would help your hair tremendously. What I usually do is mix a few oils together into a spray bottle and focus on moisturizing the roots and the ends of the hair. Also, try to minimize washing your hair to only once a week with shampoo. On the days where it isn’t hair care day for me, I usually just use conditioner only and follow up with a leave-in conditioner before I use my oil blend.

Some of the oils I add to my blend include peppermint oil to help stimulate the scalp, tea tree oil, Jamaican black castor oil to promote hair growth, avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. I use a spritzer bottle from Amazon since I don’t have a beauty supply store near me.

 

3.Make Sure to Thoroughly Dry Your Hair Before You Put On Your Hijab

When time is not on your side you will be tempted to just tie your hair in a bun while it is wet and put on your hijab. I’m so guilty of this myself, especially in the mornings when I wash my hair and I’m in such a hurry. Tying up your hair while wet is more prone to breakage and it can be very damaging to your hair. My suggestion would be to find a time where its best to wash your hair to allow it to dry naturally. If this isn’t possible and you wash it before you have to leave, then I suggest using a t-shirt to first dry the hair. I then use a heat protector after my regular leave-in conditioner and oil blend and use a blow dryer on medium heat at a safe distance a few inches from my hair. This is important to do so that I do not dry out the hair too much and retain as much moisture as possible.

4.Let Your Hair Down

Wearing a hijab all day with your hair tied up can make it hard for your hair to breathe. Make it a habit to untie your hair and let it loose after having it under the hijab all day long. Try to also give yourself a quick head massage to increase the blood circulation to your scalp. When doing a head massage, turn your head upside down so that blood can rush to your head and by massaging the head it will help the circulation of blood to the scalp. This can potentially stimulate hair growth.

5.Use Silk Bonnets and Pillowcases to Protect Your Hair While You Sleep

Silk pillowcases help reduce friction to limit hair breakage or damage. Also, because it is silk the pillowcase doesn’t pull on your hair while sleep. I also recommend using a silk bonnet if you do not have a silk pillowcase. They both essentially function in the same way, just in different styles. Both of these items also help retain moisture. You can find these in most beauty supply stores if you live in a major city, or you can get them on Amazon.

6.Get Regular Trims

Let’s face it, split ends are not pretty. They can make your hair look brittle and lifeless and trust me you do not want that. Split ends also can continue to split up the length of your hair if you do not trim them regularly. By scheduling a regular trim on a schedule of about every 3-4 months can help keep your beautiful hair stay that way and can also encourage growth. Who wouldn’t want that?

7.Wear an Underscarf to Protect Your Hairline!

As mentioned before in my blog about hijab care tips, wearing an under scarf has many advantages. Besides keeping your hijab collection in good shape, it can also protect your hairline from thinning. As mentioned above with the use of silk pillowcases and bonnets, the same ideology can be applied here. A silk underscarf will act as a slippery surface and protect the hair from rubbing on the hijab material if it isn’t silk or something similar. Also, try not to wear your hijab too tight! This can actually cause headaches/migraines for some. In fact, I had a friend literally cut her ear from wearing her under scarf too tightly!

While doing some research to find something to help me out when it came to products that took into consideration I was a Muslim woman who wore the hijab, I stumbled across @NatashaSomalia.

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Motivational Monday! STOP WASTING TIME! Stop procrastinating! Stop leading people on! Stop being late! Stop making excuses! Stop comparing yourself to others! Stop being negative! And Stop talking yourself into being sick! Stay on track, don't look back. You have come too far not to finish what you started. You can improve, you can change, you can progress, you can make a difference. You can do it, if you stay on TRACK. WHY DO WE CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF US SO MUCH!! Stop minding other people's business. What they are thinking about you! their business. Don't mind it get off it. NEVER GIVE UP🖤 #iamNatashaSomalia #stressfree #motivation #success #inspiration #business #lifestyle #goals #love #life #successful #entrepreneurship #money #happy #marketing #entrepreneurs #hustle #motivational #inspire #businessowner #wealth #work #luxury #determination #networkmarketing #businesswoman #grind #entrepreneurlife #boss #dedication

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She is a Muslim woman who has been a hairdresser for 27 years. She created a line of products directed at women who wear the hijab called Covered Infusion. She even designed her own comb to help tease apart matted hair – let’s be honest, we’ve been there in that stage of our hair!

Do you have any other hijab hair care tips that you would like to share? Sign up and join the conversation.

5 Simple Ways to Flawless Skin With or Without Makeup

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5 Simple Ways to Flawless Skin With or Without Makeup

Cleanse 

I always wash, tone and hydrate my skin to create a blank slate for my makeup. I allow time for the moisturizer to sink into my skin prior to using a primer. When taking your makeup off, double cleanse! Massage facial oil with your hands to remove your make up and then follow up with a face wash of your choice.

Pro Tip: Instead of buying expensive facial oils, you can household products like coconut and olive oil! They do an excellent job of removing all your makeup.

Know Your Skin Type, Know Your Products

Do you have dry, oily, normal or combination skin? Knowing this will help you decide on all your products from your face wash to your foundation. Personally, my skin is oily in the summertime and drier during the winter months. If you have oily skin, make sure to cleanse more often to keep your pores clear of bacteria and oil build-up, which will help prevent breakouts. Also, using mattifying primers and matte foundations would help keep oil and shine at bay. For dry skin, hydrate hydrate hydrate! Use skin oil and hydrating products. Knowing your skin goes a long way to make flawless.

Pro Tip: Hydration is important for maintaining flawless skin for all skin types. Make sure you get plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out the toxins from your body and give you radiant skin.

Know Your Shade, Know Your Tone, Know the Difference

In a time with 40+ shades of foundation for many major makeup brands, it can be hard to pick the perfect one for you. Shade would be the actual colour of your skin and can change throughout the seasons. Going lighter may lead you to appear ashy and dry, and going darker will leave you with a forced tanned look that won’t match your neck and hands. The tone is your undertone and the most common tones are warm, cool and yellow. Swatching will determine best what colour and tone match the undertone of your skin.

Pro Tip: I recommend swatching on your face, preferably your cheek, and not on your hand because most people’s face and hands are not the same skin tone.

Colour Correcting

Have dark-spots? Just got a very red pimple? Colour correcting is here to help. By using colour-correcting products under your foundation, you can cancel out the colour that you want to cover. Red is ideal to conceal dark spots under your eyes, green is great for redness, and yellow and/or orange is good for veiny purple under eyes or a random bruise.

Contour and Highlight

If you want instant definition on your face, creating a shadow and highlight in strategic areas can help. Try to go two shades lighter than your skin tone under your eyes with concealer and two shades darker to contour under your cheekbone and jawline.

Pro Tip: Go only one shade darker when you are contouring your nose. Also, make sure to blend harsh lines or it will throw off your whole look.

 

 This article was written and submitted by Maryan. Her Instagram handle is @Makeup_bymaryan. 

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Happy Holidays! Diamond Cut Crease 💎 Eyes: primed with @colourpopcosmetics concealer in 00 Fair @anastasiabeverlyhills #softglampalette in; Rustic, Cypress Umber and Noir. @fentybeauty #fentykillawattfoil in Diamond Ball Out and #fentydiamondbomb in How Many Carats Topped with @stilacosmetics #glitterandglow in Diamond Dust Brows: @anastasiabeverlyhills #sultrypalette in Distopian Lips : #fentymattemoiselle in Griselda #melaninpoppin #makeuptutorial #makeupaddict #holiday #toronto #tuesday #hijab #somali #canadian #eyemakeup #eyebrows #eyeshadow #colourpopme #yesfentybeauty

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How Do You Respond as a Muslim When Someone Wishes You a Merry Christmas?

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How Do You Respond as a Muslim When Someone Wishes You a Merry Christmas?

It’s that time of year again – the season where you have to awkwardly end conversations with your peers and co-workers in creative ways. And yet till this very day, I still struggle with finding a suitable and appropriate way to respond when someone says Merry Christmas at the end of a conversation. So how do you respond when someone wishes you a Merry Christmas?

I have worked and gone to school in spaces with all sorts of different religions and cultures. During late November and most of December, the preparations for Christmas begin everywhere. You see the commercials for gift ideas on television, the ads on social media, the stores and malls filled with red and white décor, and so on. And then the sayings – the wishes begin. ‘Merry Christmas’ becomes the new ‘goodbye’ ‘hello’ and ‘take care!’ It has become so routine for some that they do not discriminate or filter who they say it to either. Saying Merry Christmas has become so mainstream that the fine line between religion and a holiday phrase has become blurred for those using the term.

Being in public places and institutions during this time frame as a Muslim brings about a lot of first-world problems. Almost every other conversation ended with someone saying ‘Merry Christmas’ ‘Happy Holidays!’ and so on. I would have classmates, patients at my workplace, and non-Muslim friends of mine commonly wishing me farewell for the holiday season. During every single one of these encounters, you could blatantly see my confusion and fear wash over my face as they stood there waiting for a similar well-wish statement back. I never knew what to say or how to respond without looking like the ‘extremist Muslim friend.’

Along with the slogan for the holiday season come the gifts you receive. I received many gifts in the past years and I always felt guilty and had a look of confusion as I would awkwardly take the gift.

What do I say? Can I take it? Is this entire situation haram and should I give it back? Do I have to bring a gift for them tomorrow? Help!

Quickly I would take the gift with a forced warmish smile and mumble something along the lines of ‘thank you’ and quickly place the gift on my desk, hoping something would come up or my desk phone would ring to save my life. The gifts would range from small chocolates and cards to big, neatly wrapped boxes that I would have to find a way to carry home. But the burning thought in my head was that I just let someone give me a gift and said to have a happy day associating partners with Allah. I was conflicted and honestly lost for an alternative that wasn’t going to be hurtful to the person who was trying to be nice.

So I started to get creative – last year I mentally prepared myself for this season in advance. I had to know what to say and how to say it without sounding rude, unappreciative, and most of all, awkward. A friend of mine told me to respond to a ‘Merry Christmas’ exchange by responding with ‘Merry Christmas – to you’ but that sounded kind of standoffish and so unlike me. So I settled on a couple of middle ground comments back:

Okay, bye! – When someone says it at the end of a conversation (and quickly walk away – not in the same direction!)

Seasons greetings! – I mean, it is a season and I am greeting you…right?

Happy holidays! – This one still confuses me because honestly – What is the holiday that I am saying to be happy for?

Yes this list isn’t the greatest, now do you see the dilemma? I do know this though – I am a Muslim woman. As a Muslim, we are to be kind and to treat others with respect. So that was what I decided to go with. By smiling and even at times telling them as a Muslim I did not participate in the holiday but I wished them well, I knew I was not compromising my religious beliefs for a gift or cheerful moment. I would thank them for the gift and silently make dua for them.

What are your experiences in this type of situation? How do you avoid the awkwardness?

 

 

5 Must-Have Baby Products for First Time Moms

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5 Must-Have Baby Products for First Time Moms

Being a first-time mom brings about a million and one emotions – happiness, joy, a fresh start, fear, anxiety … need I continue? Well, don’t worry you are not alone and you can help make this time a beautiful transition for you and your growing family. Here are a few things I found to be extremely helpful when I was pregnant with my first-born and I hope this will help those who are feeling anxious and scared about being a new mom.

1.Pick a Baby Bottle that is Close to Breastfeeding

 

I researched a million baby bottles and came across so many that I was overwhelmed. Dr. Brown, Avent, Tommy Tippie, you name it I read and read about them to cure my insomnia. Ultimately, one bottle stood out among the rest, Comotomo Baby Bottles. Comotomo baby bottles are designed to closely imitate breastfeeding to help eliminate your baby rejecting the bottle’s nipple. It has a unique neck design that is ultra-wide, which makes it super easy to clean with or without a brush for those nighttime feeds. It helps with colic by having two anti-colic vents on the nipple. This will reduce the amount of air your baby sucks while feeding and reducing colic. My favourite part about this bottle is the material it is made with. It is made with medical-grade silicone, which makes it lighter than most bottles and makes it easier for your baby when they are able to hold up their own bottle. It also comes with cute accessories like these handles, green and pink. It is safe to use in a microwave, boiling water, dishwashers, and sterilizers.

 

2. Reduce your Waking Hours During the Night with a Powerful Machine

 

Probably one of the BEST gifts I received after giving birth was the Baby Brezza Formula Pro. It makes those nighttime feeds when you already are sleep deprived less of a hassle. You fill one side with water (distilled or boiled, remember it’s a newborn baby!), and the top with formula. The water doesn’t have to be perfect because this amazing machine will heat the water you add to near body temperature, which is optimal for your baby. There are different settings for how much milk it will make – 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ounces to be exact. It doesn’t matter what formula you use and works so well with any bottle size so it can grow with your baby. Each formula fill can make about 20 8-ounce bottles. It is super easy to clean and easy to refill when necessary. The Baby Brezza Formula Pro instructions are simple to follow and beyond convenient for those first few weeks postpartum.

3. Pump Like a Pro and Never Miss a Feed with This

Not everybody will want to breastfeed directly, and some babies take longer to latch than others. And that is okay. If you truly want to breastfeed but cannot seem to get your precious newborn to latch, or if you had a C-section and are having a hard time holding your baby while trying to feed, this one is for you. The Medela Pump In Style Double Electric Breast Pump became my best friend – second, of course to my baby – and I was beyond relieved when I could pump both sides at the same time without wasting precious sleep time. It is a little pricey for a double breast pump, and luckily Medela does have a cheaper option. There is the Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump, which is also perfect for when you are on the go or travelling and need to do a quick pump. The Medela does have come with cool accessories, like their breast milk storage bags and their super convenient and easy to use quick clean micro-steam bags. They also have great extras like their disposable nursing pads and my relief from cracked nipples, lanolin cream.

4. Imitate the Womb from the Outside to Help Your Baby Adjust to their New Surroundings

There are so many swings out on the market today and it honestly was a lot of work trying to pin down a good one without wasting money in case my baby didn’t like it. I asked a lot of moms and what they used and the consensus was easy to determine which was going to be a good match for me. The Rockaroo was an excellent fit. It has many features like different swing styles, speeds, and sounds. It mimics your heartbeat like your baby would have heard if they were still in the womb, and it even connects to your phone via Bluetooth! You can control all the features along with whatever soundtrack you want to play and it is a quick soother for those sleepless nights.

5. Get as Close to a Good Night’s Sleep with your Baby

We all have that fear of co-sleeping with our baby and accidentally rolling over on them – believe me, I had nightmares about this all the time! I searched everywhere for a way to sleep close to my baby without actually having to, and that’s where this bassinet came in. The Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet was my ultimate choice for a couple of reasons. It had a flat surface which was important to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and a calming motion that could be started up by me or by my baby! It also has two light modes and a feature to stop the rocking motion in case it startles your baby. My personal favourite feature was the sides – yes the sides! It had mesh on both sides to ensure my baby was breathing ok while he was asleep and I didn’t have to worry about him rolling onto his side and suffocating against the side of the bassinet.

I hope my suggestions for first-time mom tips were helpful and my recommended products eased some of your worries! Congratulations and good luck with your new transition and journey!

5 Tips to Keeping up stay at Home for Muslim Moms

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5 Tips to Keeping up stay at Home for Muslim Moms

Being a stay-at-home mom to the general public sounds like the easiest gig in the world, right? Wrong! The misconceptions that come with being a stay-at-home mom are actually alarmingly way off from what the reality is. I was always a working woman who contributed to society. I paid my taxes, worked two jobs, and maintained a regular healthy lifestyle alongside my husband. I was up at the crack of dawn and came home just before midnight. I never had time for anything let alone myself during the busy Monday to Friday hectic work schedules I had so my weekends were gold to me. Given this fact, I still found it hard to do grocery shopping, do my weekly DIY facemask, make a home cooked meal and find time to spend with my husband, family, and friends. Sounds like the rest of the world right?

As soon as I gave birth and went on maternity leave, I became a stay-at-home mom. My son is now 10 months old Alhamdulillah, and the constant question of going back to work has been on my mind. But when I thought about the pros and cons of going back to work or staying home with my son, I barely saw a difference besides I’d be getting paid for my hard work if I had a job.

Being a stay-at-home mom is a not a part-time, full-time, or casual job. It is a 24/7, all hours, everyday career. People often say things like ‘but you’re home! You can sit on your couch all day and do nothing!’ ‘You must be bored!’ ‘You get to sleep all day!’ Newsflash: I don’t even have time to take a shower long enough to wash my hair thoroughly. This is also how I feel with only one child, so obviously, my heart goes out to those mothers with more than one child.

In between diaper changes at 3am, making bottles at all hours of the day, cleaning up the house, making all the meals for everyone else in the home, grocery shopping, preparing my baby’s meals for the day AND using the bathroom – yes I factor in this time as well – it is hard to keep up with my 5 daily prayers. I found myself downloading apps, setting reminders, making wudu and then also found myself choosing to make my baby’s bottle, change a diaper first and by the time I was ready to pray it was already time for the next prayer. I needed to make a change ASAP because this wasn’t working and my faith is everything to me as a Muslim. I came up with a couple of ideas as to how to pray on time and effectively to ensure I never missed a prayer when I was physically able to pray.

1.Download Apps So You Get Notifications to Alert You When It’s Time to Pray 

Apps like Athan: Prayer Times & Quran are extremely helpful. They also have duas and provide with help finding the prayer direction and where to face for the Qibla. Also, check with your local mosque and see if they have their own app. Some mosques have their own application and the prayer times are more accurate for your location. They can also have details about events happening at the local masjid.

2.Set Aside Your Prayer Clothes in a Specific Location in Your Home Beside Your Prayer Mat 

This was a big help for myself personally. I had a designated abaya and hijab I love praying in. So instead of putting them away after every time I offered prayer, I decided to keep it in a separate location along with the prayer mat. This made praying on time more effective for myself instead of scrambling to go to my closet every time I was about to pray.

3.Make it a Habit to Make Wudu Every time You Use the Bathroom 

This one right here was a game changer for me! I didn’t realize how time-consuming it was to make wudu just before praying, knowing I had barely 5 minutes to pray and rush back to care for my baby. So I made it a habit to always have wudu on me. I did this by making wudu after every time I would use the bathroom. I was already in the bathroom anyway and this would save me a trip to the bathroom while my baby unsupervised when I was home alone with him.

4.Ask For Someone to Watch Your Baby While You Pray 

As a mom and I think it is safe to say as a woman, we tend to often not ask for help when we need it. If you aren’t home alone and it is time to pray, ask that person to watch your baby for you. It won’t take more than 10 minutes usually and if that person is also a Muslim they would understand the importance of praying on time.

5.Set Up a Safe Play Area for Your Baby to Play or Lay in While You Pray 

If you are home alone and your baby is just not cooperating with you, then set up a safe play area or clean out their crib and place them in there. This has helped me immensely. When we finally had our Crib delivered for our baby, I would pray in our room where the crib was and place my baby in there. That way I knew he was somewhere safe and I would be able to tend to him when I was finished praying quicker than if he was in another room and not in a secure place.

I hope this helps all the new moms and current moms who are already dealing with a million and one things. If you have any other tips to contribute please let me know below. To comment you need an account, so please sign up and join the conversation. Your comment can benefit others!

How to Keep Your Hijabs Clean and Look Brand New – 7 Easy Tips for Home Hijab Care

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How to Keep Your Hijabs Clean and Look Brand New – 7 Easy Tips for Home Hijab Care

If you wear a hijab every single day yet don’t think twice about taking care of it – you are not alone. Believe me, you’d be surprised. It’s very easy to just throw it off as soon as you get home and don’t think twice about the creasing or delicacy of the material until you have to wear it again the next day.

Even those of us who actually take the time to care for their hijabs have normal wear and tear damage that can take a toll on our go-to favourites. Here are a few hijab care tips we think will help keep your hijabs in great shape for all seasons and occasions.

1. Wear an Underscarf

If you wear your hijab directly on top of your hair, whatever hair products you have on your hair will rub and smear all over your hijab. It can also cause hair damage if the material of the hijab isn’t soft or light. By wearing an underscarf, preferably silk, it can make your hijab look much smoother on your head and keep your delicate hijab clean.

2. Use Special Pins

For those of us who like trying new hijab styles and trends, we use the help of pins. The thing is, many of us use the wrong techniques when doing so and end up ruining the threading of our beloved hijabs. By using special pins designed to do exactly what you are looking for while not tugging at the threading of the hijab, you can complete your look discreetly and achieve your style.

Great hijab-friendly online stores such as Heart Hijab and Modanisa have great hijab pins that are wearable for any occasion. Even though they are based in the UK and Turkey respectively, they both offer worldwide shipping!

3. Handwash as Much as Possible

It sounds so old school but believe me – it works. Most hijabs are made from soft and light fabric that can be more easily damaged by the spinning of a washing machine. Separate your lights from your darks to prevent staining on your lighter coloured hijabs.

4. Air Dry

Hang dry your hijab on a towel bar in your bathroom to help maintain their shape. You can also lay them on a flat surface. If you prefer to hang them to dry outside, but make sure it’s in a shaded area away from direct sunlight to avoid fading of the fabric.

5. Iron on Reverse Side

If you need to smooth out the material and are in a rush, you can use an iron. Make sure the iron temperature is as low as possible and press on the reverse side of the fabric. If it is a silk hijab, make sure the hijab is still a little damp when ironing to not burn the material.

6. Treat Stains as Soon as Possible!

If you can get to a sink as soon as you get a stain on your hijab, spot treat it ASAP! The sooner you get rid of it, the better the chances you’ll be able to save your hijab. Just use a dab of detergent, dish detergent works best, and work on the stain with your fingertips. You only need to wash the stained part and the small surrounding area in cold water. If you don’t have access to running water, just blot clean by using a paper towel to dab the stained area.

Pro Tip: sunscreen, lotions, and makeup usually have oil in their products. By using dish detergent on these stains, it can effectively help lift the oils off your hijab without damaging the material.

7. Store Your Hijabs in a Different Area From the Rest of Your Clothes

Keep all your hijabs in clean and dry areas. I personally like to fold and place my hijabs in a separate drawer from the rest of my clothes. If they are regular wear ones, I usually hang them but also separate from my other clothing so that no zippers or pieces of other clothing get caught on them.

For my special occasion hijabs, I like to roll them and store them away from my other hijabs.

I hope some of these tips and tricks can help with your hijab care techniques! If you take care of them, you can limit the number of times you wash or iron your hijabs and get them to last for years.

Are there any other tips you know and do that aren’t mentioned above? Let us know to help other sisters out!

Model in the photo is on Instagram, @shamhad_

5 Modest Hijab Fashion Instagrammers You Need to Follow Right Now

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5 Modest Hijab Fashion Instagrammers You Need to Follow Right Now

Instagram is no doubt the location to find modest hijab fashion inspiration for your outfit needs and wants. Here are some accounts we found that are highly recommended and these women mean fashion business!

@shahdbatal

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Just posted an outfits of the week vid on my channel with my fav picks from @asos @asos_us ❤️ http://liketk.it/2yy7J #liketkit @liketoknow.it #ad

A post shared by Shahd Batal (@shahdbatal) on

Shahd Batal is a black Muslim woman living in LA and is no stranger to the fashion world. She brings about so much flavour to her Instagram page and shows us an inside scoop of her daily life and beauty products. She also has a Youtube channel where she has relatable videos about the Muslim community, vlogs, and a Shai with Shahd segment that is super cute and fun to watch.

@chinutay

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🎩 #lastnight 🖤

A post shared by Manal 🇪🇹 (@chinutay) on

Manal is a Canadian fashionista who is married and her Instagram photos with her hubby are the absolute cutest! She also has a Youtube channel where she and her husband travel while giving us the fun side of being married. She gives out amazing skincare tips that are helpful and easy to try! She is also expecting her first baby and we are here for the journey sis! Mabrook!

@ashwaaqfidar

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📸 Photo By @tamhid_nafi Outfit: @prettylittlething #plt #pltstyle #prettylittlething Coat: @primark #primark #streetstyle #fashion #style #classyoutfit #fashionlover #marloparis #dosesofstyle #100flavoursUk #majorstreetstyle #fashion4perfection #muslimahapparelthings #rebelgal #revolveme #streetstylelondon #theoutfitscrapbook

A post shared by Ashwaaq Fidar (@ashwaaqfidar) on

Ashwaaq is a Birmingham beauty who is killing the fashion game with her looks. She also is an amazing makeup artist and serves us looks on the gram that we cannot get enough of. HerYoutube Channel is filled with shopping hauls she does and tries on her fashion buys with cute commentary!

@forever_muslim

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#tb to summer 🌸

A post shared by Aziza Mohammad (@forever_muslim) on

Aziza is a part-time Youtuber and a full-time fashion guru. She and her husband are adorable in their photos on her page and she always brings the looks but also shows us her home decor photos and we love them! If you check out her Youtube Channel you’ll find lookbooks, recipes, and decor inspo.

@zeinahnur

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9 months preggo today!!!😬😬 I was 8 months in this photo. My bump size was the same when I was preggo with Malik too, people always said first babies bump is always small and the more you have the bigger you get, but apparently not. Everyone’s body type/shape/size is just different and so the same would apply for bumps me thinks. But I deffo don’t look 9 months, when I ask people to guess they guess 3 months, I mean.. Really? But hey, I ain’t complaining. Alhamdulillah, cause even though I have a week left, I’m not uncomfortable at all, am so so greatful for that. But I am soooooo sad my pregnancy journey is coming to an end😭😭😭 But so excited to meet baby iA! _______________________________________________________ I have a what I eat in a day while pregnant+ a pregnancy update& I share why am getting induced. It’s up tomorrow. But request for prayers for me& baby please, I’ll really appreciate it. If you want me to pray for you, let me know. More than happy to!💕_______________________________________________________ #9monthspregnant #stylethebump #boohoo #myboohoostyle #zeinahnur #induction #youtuber

A post shared by Z E I N A H N U R (@zeinahnur) on

Zeinah Nur is a beauty who does not fall short of gorgeous. A new mom and a Youtuber who shows us her cooking game for us who need recipe ideas, she is a page that has lots to offer while giving us modest fashion looks that are both beautiful and comfortable. Her Youtube Channel is filled with travel, shopping, and food – three things we obviously already love!

We hope you enjoyed our list and we definitely have more Instagram Fashionistas to feature, this is not our only list! Be sure to check out these lovely ladies and make sure to subscribe to their Youtube channels. Is there anyone else you think deserves to be recognized? Let us know below!

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